Learn About the Original Jamaican Bobsled Team by Checking out "Cool Runnings"

 

Are you familiar with the story of the 1988 Jamaican bobsled team, subject of the hit movie "Cool Runnings" that came out nearly 30 years ago?

Jamaica's four-man bobsled team has qualified for the Winter Olympics that kick off  in Beijing, China on February 3, 2022. It's the first time a bobsled team from the tiny Caribbean nation will compete in the Winter Olympics since the 1998 games held in Nagano, Japan.

"Cool Runnings" is available for checkout from several Jefferson County Library Cooperative members, including the Birmingham Public Library. 

Woodlawn Branch Library is airing "Cool Runnings" on Friday, February 4, at 3:30 p.m. as part of its Black History Month programming. 

The 1993 movie is inspired by the true story of the original Jamaican bobsled team that became an international sensation  after qualifying for the  1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. The Jamaicans had never seen a bobsled before training. 

The Jamaican team finished 30th, but the four members became famous.